Cottonwood cross country team is small but mighty
Oct 24, 2019 04:28PM ● By Nichole Duffy
The Colts cross country team compete at the regional championships on Oct. 11. (Nichole Duffy/City Journals)
By Nichole Duffy | [email protected]
On Oct. 11, the Cottonwood Colts cross country team faced off with seven others from the region at the Cottonwood Complex for regional championships.
The course was comprised of a 3-mile run with hills and tough terrain. The Friday afternoon meet began at 2:30 p.m. and started off with the junior varsity girls run, followed by junior varsity boys, then varsity girls and varsity boys.
It was a clear, crisp day for the runners who bounced or did sprints to keep their blood flowing before the race.
The Colts sported the classic black and yellow running jerseys as well as black and yellow sunglasses to add some flair while protecting their eyes from the sun. When asked what makes their Cottonwood team special, senior and co-captain Rachel Rosenberg said, “We are small but mighty.”
Rosenberg is right about the size. Cottonwood only has 19 members on their cross-country team, where most other teams in the region have at least double that amount.
But it does not stop them from giving their all, said coach Jason Baker. What makes the team great, he said, is that they “buy into the system and work hard making traditions themselves.”
It is not only the athletes that pour themselves into the cross country mindset, but the fans as well. Spectators ran from one check point and across the complex to reach the next check point before the runners did in order to cheer them on.
The boys junior varsity team, being five members strong, made some personal records for themselves. Joab Boss beat his personal best by 1 minute 30 seconds. Will Sintyl said they are able to compete by “believing in ourselves that we can do it and pushing each other.”
The highlight of the meet, for one senior, was especially monumental. Cody Madsen celebrated his 18th birthday that day and earned himself a birthday present he will not forget.
Madsen finished the race by setting a personal record of 15:21 beating his previous score of 15:50.
Not only was it a personal record but it also earned him the third-place spot overall, ensuring his advancement to the state finals and a spot on the first team all-region.
Madsen said he can contribute to his team by working hard and not giving up. “Even through the downfalls it is still a fun sport and, if you keep working, eventually you reach the top,” he said.
Joining Madsen at the state finals will be eight fellow classmates.
The Colts also had five student athletes that received the Academic All-Region award, which is only given to seniors who have a 3.75 grade point average or higher.
Tatch for Madsen and the other Colts at the state tournament on was held Oct. 23 at Sugar House parkPark (after deadline).
